With a lot of things happening at Kia these days, some might have forgotten about the Stonic subcompact crossover. The model is doing very well, with over 150,000 units sold in Europe since production began in 2017. Kia isn’t resting on its laurels, however, and has now upgraded the Stonic for the 2021 model year. Think of it not as a facelift, because it remains largely the same in the looks department, but rather a mid-cycle refresh, though one that brings many new features into play.

The most important upgrade is the introduction of a new mild-hybrid powertrain. It combines the 1.0-liter T-GDi turbocharged gasoline engine with a 48V system and is available in two outputs: 100 and 120 PS. It also makes 200 Nm of torque when equipped with the 7-speed DCT (6-speed manual also available); that’s 16 percent more than the Kappa-generation 1-liter T-GDi which it replaces. Both transmissions enable engine-off driving for improved fuel consumption, operating at speeds of up to 125 km/h.


The existing range of petrol engines has been upgraded as well, boasting improved drivability, maximized efficiency and lowered carbon dioxide emissions, according to the Korean automaker. The 1.0-liter T-GDi engine, rated at 100 PS, is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox replacing the old five-speed and an optional seven-speed DCT. Joining the lineup is a revised variant of the 1.2-liter mill, which pumps out 84 PS.

The 2021 Stonic features a larger 8-inch touchscreen display as standard, with sat-nav and Display Audio, depending on the spec. It also gets Bluetooth multi-connection, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and new UVO Connect telematics. The latter include live traffic info, weather forecasts, fuel prices, on- and off-street parking and more. Voice recognition is also on deck, and drivers can transfer their in-vehicle preferences via the ‘User Profile Transfer’ feature. A higher-res 4.2-inch digital instrument cluster is included as well, alongside new customization options.


Boasting Kia’s ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance Systems), the latest Stonic can be had, depending on the spec, with forward collision-avoidance assist featuring pedestrian, vehicle and cyclist recognition, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, smart cruise control and intelligent speed limit assist.

Save for the new LED headlamps, the upgraded Stonic remains largely unchanged, though it does feature two new exterior paint colors, dubbed Azure Blue and Storm Grey. The palette now includes nine exterior finishes, which can be combined with the contrasting roof options, including the new Zest Yellow. 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels are also available at an extra cost.

Kia will start accepting orders for the 2021 Stonic in the third quarter of the year in continental Europe, whereas in the UK the model will go on sale in Q4.